GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Jim LeClair, one of seven University of North Dakota football players to have their jersey honored or retired by the school, has passed away. He was 69.
 
A first-team AFCA and AP All-America selection, as well as the North Central Conference's Most Valuable Player in 1971, LeClair went on to have one of the most prestigious playing careers at both the collegiate and professional levels. The two-time All-NCC selection finished his senior season with 187 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and 11 forced fumbles to help lead the Fighting Sioux to a 6-3 record and a NCC title.
 
Following the 1971 season, LeClair was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the NFL Draft, where he went on to man the middle of the defense for 10 seasons as a starter. Over his career, LeClair led the Bengals to Super Bowl XVI against San Francisco, earned All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection in 1976, served as team captain, and also collected five All-Pro first-alternate selections during his run in Cincinnati. He totaled 158 career games, 10 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, and was named as one of the 50 most influential people in Bengals' history by The Cincinnati Enquirer.
 
LeClair concluded his football career with the USFL's New Jersey Generals from 1984-85, earning another All-Pro selection in his first season with the Generals.
 
After his playing days, LeClair served as the head coach for Mayville State from 1986-88 before becoming mayor of Mayville and operator of an insurance agency. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame (1999), Minnesota College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (1975), University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame (1985), University of Minnesota-Crookston Hall of Fame (1999), South St. Paul High School Hall of Fame (2007), and North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame (2014). The UMC practice field was named Jim LeClair Practice Field in his honor in 2009.
 
He is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter, Kelli, son, Jamie, and son, Andrew. A full obituary and memorial services can be found here.
 
What They're Saying About LeClair:
Head Coach Bubba Schweigert:
"Jim was one of the all-time great players at the University of North Dakota and went on to an impressive professional career after his playing days at UND. Jim was a wonderful representative of our university and football program. He was a fierce competitor and one who was driven to be excellent on the gridiron and all aspects of his life. Those that knew him beyond the field of competition know that his most positive attribute was a family man of great character and Christian values that guided his daily life."
 
Former UND Head Coach Jerry Olson:
In 1971: "Jim is a very complete football player; one of the best I've ever coached. He is a very intelligent and dedicated athlete."
 
Former Bengals Teammate Tim Krumrie:
On Twitter: "Lost a teammate and friend today. Not only did No. 55 Jim LeClair take me under his wing as a rookie, but he trained me in my comeback from my broken leg in 1989. What a great guy, RIP my friend."